FOR NEC CO-OP ENERGY MEMBERS
Co-op Roots
WITH FLOWERY LANGUAGE, Texas Co-op Power announced in its debut issue 80 years ago this month that “there will no longer exist that vacant, uncultivated space within the garden of printed and published facts.”
The magazine itself was unflowery in July 1944—just four plain pages of newsprint. But it had strong roots: messaging that informed and unified members of newly formed electric cooperatives.
Here’s what readers learned in that first issue:
In 1936, less than 3% of Texas farms had electricity, compared to 30% in 1944.
A farm in Dublin, Texas, increased its production 70% with the help of electricity.
And, of course, there was a notice of an annual meeting.
By the August issue, with a circulation of 14,000, the publication had grown to eight pages and ran the first of what has become a beloved string of recipes—for fruit-stuffed spareribs.
Those strong roots today sustain a communications platform that includes nearly 1.9 million slick magazines every month and a website, plus social media access that’s just a click away on any device.
Visit our website to see the inaugural issue of Texas Co-op Power from 1944. And watch for our upcoming contest to win a commemorative cast-iron skillet.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE
I’d like to be famous for …
Tell us how you would finish that sentence. Email your short responses to letters@TexasCoopPower.com or comment on our Facebook post. Include your co-op and town. Here are some of the responses to our May prompt: Summer means …
Starlit nights and firefly viewing while listening to the insect night sounds that lull you to sleep.
SANDRA VALDERAZ PEDERNALES EC LEANDER
The smell of cut grass, sunscreen and chlorine.
BOBBI FLOWERS
BRYAN TEXAS UTILITIES BRYAN
Garden-fresh tomatoes.
JAMES SELF DEAF SMITH EC HEREFORD
Visit our website to see more responses.
Contests and More
ENTER CONTESTS AT TEXASCOOPPOWER.COM
$500 RECIPE CONTEST Cookie Exchange
FOCUS ON TEXAS PHOTOS Mascots
RECOMMENDED READING
Ten years ago we threw darts at an outline of Texas and headed out to write about the places pinpointed. Read Darting Around Texas from July 2014 and see where we ended up.
Seeking Gold in France
Texas will be well-represented among American athletes when the Summer Olympics kick off July 26 in Paris—as it was the last time the French capital hosted the Games, 100 years ago. Charley Paddock of Gainesville, a track star in 1924, pictured second from right, was the first person labeled as the “fastest man alive.” That was in 1919, a year before he starred in the 1920 Olympics, winning gold in the 100 meters and silver in the 200. Paddock again won silver in the 200 in 1924. Chariots of Fire, the 1981 Oscar-winning film, captured the religious tensions of members of the British track team at those Games. Paddock was portrayed as a brash American in the movie.
Highway Memorials
You have helped to preserve the memory of the jet pilots who trained at Kingsville Naval Air Station [Overpass Easels, May 2024]. Those young men were selfless and courageous. We lived on a cotton farm south of the base and watched as they flew overhead.
My sister married Lt. Ralph Foulks, who went missing after he flew off the USS Oriskany in January 1968 during the Vietnam War. His remains were returned from Vietnam and buried in 1993.
Elizabeth Cumberland
Bluebonnet EC Martindale
Ranch Hand Legacy
My granddad was a hand for the Four Sixes and Triangles ranches, and the Piper tank is named after my great-granddad Jon Piper [Sixes on the Small Screen, May 2024].
Brendan Hill Via Facebook
MAY 2024 Overpass Easels
“I have seen two of these and wondered how they originated. Your article answered all my questions, and I now am eager to see the others during my travels.”
CAROL
STRICKLAND TRI-COUNTY EC MILLSAP
Perspective on Bowie
It’s easy to judge 19th-century characters and practices by 20th- and 21st-century standards—and Jim Bowie might not have had a sterling reputation [TCP Talk, April 2024]. But it cannot be denied that he (and the other Alamo defenders) did not have to be there, he didn’t have to join the Texian Army in the first place and he didn’t have to be co-commander. He did those things because of his sense of duty and died for it. He and the others at the Alamo made a down payment on a free Texas with their blood. There certainly is honor in that.
Carl Crisp Houston County EC Elkhart
Quilters’ Bond
The timing of The Fabric of Life was perfect [May 2024]. A lot of quilters in the state had just finished participating in the two-month All Texas Shop Hop, including shops that spread from Odessa north to Amarillo, east to Texarkana and south to Alamo in the Rio Grande Valley.
Sherry Reid Carroll Taylor EC Flower Mound
Editor, Texas Co-op Power 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor Austin, TX 78701
Please include your electric co-op and town. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.
Co-op Power
TEXAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair Neil Hesse, Muenster
Vice Chair Avan Irani, Robstown
Secretary-Treasurer Bryan Wood, San Augustine
Board Members Dale Ancell, Lubbock
Mark McClain, Roby • Julie Parsley, Johnson City • Brandon Young, McGregor
PRESIDENT/CEO Mike Williams, Austin
COMMUNICATIONS & MEMBER
SERVICES COMMITTEE
Mike Ables, Bellville • Matt Bentke, Bastrop Marty Haught, Burleson • Gary Miller, Bryan Zac Perkins, Hooker, Oklahoma John Ed Shinpaugh, Bonham
Rob Walker, Gilmer • Buff Whitten, Eldorado
MAGAZINE STAFF
Vice President, Communications & Member Services Martin Bevins
Editor Chris Burrows
Associate Editor Tom Widlowski
Production Manager Karen Nejtek
Creative Manager Andy Doughty
Advertising Manager Elaine Sproull
Communications Specialist Samantha Bryant
Digital Media Specialist Caytlyn Calhoun
Assistant Production Manager Alex Dal Santo
Print Production Specialist Grace Fultz
Food Editor Vianney Rodriguez
Senior Designer Jane Sharpe
Communications Specialist Claire Stevens
Proofreader Louie Bond
TEXAS CO-OP POWER Volume 81, Number 1 (USPS 540-560). Texas Co-op Power is published monthly by Texas Electric Cooperatives. Periodical postage paid at Austin, TX, and at additional offices. TEC is the statewide association representing 76 electric cooperatives. Texas Co-op Power’s website is TexasCoopPower.com. Call (512) 4540311 or email editor@TexasCoopPower.com.
SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscription price is $4.44 per year for individual members of subscribing cooperatives and is paid from equity accruing to the member. If you are not a member of a subscribing cooperative, you can purchase an annual subscription at the nonmember rate of $7.50. Co-op members: Please notify your co-op of address changes or other subscription requests. POSTMASTER Send address changes to Texas Co-op Power (USPS 540-560), 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701. Please enclose label from this copy of Texas Co-op Power showing old address and key numbers.
ADVERTISING Contact Elaine Sproull at (512) 486-6251 or esproull@texas-ec.org for information about purchasing display ad space in Texas Co-op Power and/or in our 26 sister publications in other states. Advertisements in Texas Co-op Power are paid solicitations. The publisher neither endorses nor guarantees in any manner any product or company included in this publication.
COPYRIGHT All content © 2024 Texas Electric Cooperatives Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this issue or any portion of it is expressly prohibited without written permission. Willie Wiredhand © 2024 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
FFelton Cochran’s cluttered bookshelves— the finest collection of Southwest literature for sale—endure despite the internet
TEXAS BOOK MAN
BY CARLTON STOWERS • PHOTOS BY DAVE SHAFER
elton Cochran gave up his rat-race career as a wholesale liquor salesman when, as he recalls, he came to the realization that the rats were winning. Compounding the problem was his concern that he was becoming one of his own best customers.
In the wake of that epiphany, he decided it was time to take leave of such workplaces as Fort Worth, Dallas and Lubbock and return home.
All he took with him on his return to San Angelo was what money he’d saved, his treasured collection of rare books on Texas history and a genuine concern for how to earn a living.
It was 1995, and Cochran’s résumé was thin. He’d spent three years as a journalism major at the University of North Texas in the early 1960s before dropping out to sell whiskey. Then there was his self-taught knowledge of Texana and Southwestern literature.
He made the crapshoot decision to see if the latter might somehow pay the bills.
Thus, the little Cactus Book Shop, in the heart of San Angelo, was born of financial necessity and a lifetime fondness for the gentle pace of the community and its people. Here, Cochran likes to say, a traffic jam is a halfdozen pickups waiting for the light to turn green.
Today his store is the go-to destination of researchers, writers, collectors, genealogists and those simply fascinated
Felton
and longtime friend.
by Texas history. Need a hard-to-find, long-out-of-print biography of one of the state’s early pioneers, ranchers, oilmen, politicians or infamous scallywags? Want the history of any of the 254 counties in Texas? Autographed first editions of many of the state’s legendary novelists? Go see Felton Cochran.
You’ll pardon him if it sounds like grade A Texas boasting, but he insists he now oversees the finest collection of Southwestern literature to be found under one roof. Some academics might argue that collections at major universities like the University of Texas, Texas Tech University and the famed Wittliff Collections of 30,000 titles at Texas State University merit strong consideration. But those books aren’t for sale.
Steve Davis, curator of the Wittliff’s Southwestern Writers Collection, is quick to give Cochran his due, calling the Cactus “a legend among book collectors and a muststop for any book lover or anyone interested in Texana.”
Cochran’s East Concho Avenue shop might best be described as clutter comfortable.
Old West memorabilia, like strands of early barbed wire, are on display. Nose around long enough and you see the citation from True West Magazine, which in 2020 named the Cactus as the nation’s best Western history bookstore, or even the Texas Readers’ Club membership certificate that a young Cochran received back in his elementary school days. But it’s the musty aroma of old books wafting along the narrow aisles and the wiry, balding man behind the front counter that are the primary lures.
Cochran, owner of the Cactus Book Shop in San Angelo, holds his favorite book, The Time It Never Rained by Elmer Kelton, who was a prolific novelist
The shop owner always has time to talk about books and bygone days.
In an era when many bookstores—independents to nationwide franchises—have lost the battle with the internet and disappeared, the Cactus Book Shop serves a niche that allows it to endure and prosper. Even at 83, Cochran is in touch with today’s technology. He maintains a website, and his electronic catalog goes out monthly to customers in 28 states. The phone rings steadily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays with requests from seekers and sellers.
It is, however, the walk-in customers Cochran most enjoys—particularly when they represent a new generation of history lovers.
“Not long ago,” he says, “a lady and her 14-year-old homeschooled daughter came in and shopped for quite some time. When they came to the checkout counter, the girl
Now, after 29 years of bookselling, Cochran says it’s not unusual to buy a book from someone whose grandfather he originally sold it to.
had an armload of books, which I assumed were for her mother. Not so. The girl, having recently developed an interest in Texas history, had picked the titles. That did my heart good.”
An avid reader since those childhood days when his mother would regularly drive him to visit the public library, Cochran is a man who knows the secrets hidden in the pages of the volumes he sells. Pressed to recommend his favorite book on Texas history, he suggests Lone Star: A History of Texas and the Texans, fellow Texan T.R. Fehrenbach’s lyrical 800-page history lesson. “Without Texas,” the late San Antonian author wrote, “there would be no American West.” Cochran, who has done his homework, agrees. Western author Patrick Dearen has been a regular since Cochran’s store opened. “Felton and his store have been an invaluable asset to me over the years,” says the winner of a Spur Award, which recognizes distinguished writing about the American West. “I’ve also done a great deal of research at the Midland Nita Stewart Haley Memorial Library, using books their archivist has purchased from Cochran.”
All Texas history seems to run through this storefront.
“J. Frank Dobie once said that there have been more books written about Texas than any other state in the U.S.,” Cochran says. “It is a subject that is so diverse that it offers something for everyone.”
ABOVE Felton’s store is clutter comfortable, with a collection that seems as vast as his beloved state.
OPPOSITE Proof that Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan and movie legend Robert Duvall found what they were looking for at the Cactus.
For instance, among his books that customers can’t seem to get enough of are those focusing on the Big Bend. “We are a stopping place for those en route to the region,” he says.
If a particular book you’re seeking is not among the estimated 12,000 volumes crammed along the shop’s floorto-ceiling shelves, Cochran will try to find it. “Today,” he says, “the hunt for that rare title is the biggest thrill.” For that reason, he remains on high alert for estate sales and is on a first-name basis with numerous rare book collectors who might one day decide the time has come to sell their books.
Sometimes, he says, easy-to-sell treasures come from the most unusual places. He recalls a phone call a few years ago from the sister of Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Larry McMurtry, informing him that she had several valuable books she was interested in selling. Aware that her brother operated a major bookselling business in his hometown, Archer City, Cochran asked why she hadn’t offered her books to him. In most colorful language, she explained that she was seriously unhappy with her famous sibling and not inclined to speak to him.
Now, after 29 years of bookselling, Cochran says it’s not unusual to buy a book from someone whose grandfather he originally sold it to.
A longtime friendship with another celebrated author has kept Cochran’s cash register humming. The late Elmer Kelton, recognized by many as the premier Western fiction writer of all time, also called San Angelo home, and Cochran made sure he stocked the most complete collection of the seven-time Spur Award winner’s works.
In-store book signing became a routine event each time a new Kelton Western was published.
“I remember that for the first one we did, I optimistically ordered 100 copies from his publisher,” Cochran says. “We sold out in less than an hour and took orders for 200 more.
“Not only was Elmer a wonderful writer, but he was the kindest, most down-to-earth man I’ve ever known. On several occasions, I would be at his house, having coffee, when a complete stranger would knock on the door, carrying an armload of books he hoped to have autographed. Elmer would invite him in, pour him a cup of coffee and start signing. For all the awards and recognition he received, I don’t think he ever fully realized the remarkable impact his writing had on people.”
Among Cochran’s prized possessions is a first printing of Kelton’s 2004 novel, Texas Vendetta, which is dedicated to “Felton Cochran, Bookseller Extraordinaire.” Of course, it’s not for sale.
It wasn’t until Kelton’s passing in 2009 that his old friend finally put his bygone journalism studies to use. When TCU Press published a book of reflections on the fabled author, it included My Friend, Elmer Kelton, a moving essay written by Cochran.
Among the steady stream of ardent collectors of Kelton first editions to visit the Cactus Book Shop have been Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan and movie legend Robert Duvall.
They, like so many others before and since, left as satisfied customers. D
Speaking of the Rangers
It wouldn’t be a baseball game in Arlington without
on the call Chuck Morgan
BY LORI GROSSMAN
If he’s said it once, he’s said it a thousand times: “It’s baseball time in Texas.”
And as that mellifluous greeting echoes softly around Globe Life Field, Chuck Morgan begins the soundtrack of a Texas Rangers baseball game. Even as players (and stadiums) have come and gone through the decades in Arlington, Morgan has been perched behind a microphone high in the press box as the stadium voice for the team.
It’s a job, but he freely admits he’s really just passionate about baseball, as he was as a kid in southern Illinois who dreamed about playing in the big leagues. But like most kids with such dreams, he ended up far off the base paths.
Instead, he found himself in Nashville, hosting an all-night radio show for truckers at country radio giant WSM-AM, home of the Grand Ole Opry, in the late 1970s. He welcomed country artists including Roy Acuff, Bill Monroe and Marty Robbins into the studio. On Saturday nights, he co-hosted the Opry and made a handful of appearances in cornfield sketches with George “Goober” Lindsey on the popular TV show Hee Haw
“On my late-night radio show, I would have a Hee Haw week in both June and October,” Morgan says. “The producer of the show, Sam Lovullo, would come over with a special guest or two. After a couple years of doing this, Sam said, ‘Chuck, we have never had you on. Come over tomorrow. We will get you some overalls and put you in the cornfield with Goober.’ ”
But Morgan also found a baseball field in Nashville, where he spent three seasons as the public-address announcer for the minor league Sounds, 1978–80.
“While working for the Sounds, I met Larry Schmittou,” Chuck recalls. “He left to join the Texas Rangers as vice president of marketing. One day, he called and asked if I wanted to work in the big leagues.
“My love for baseball won.”
Chuck Morgan, the stadium voice for the Texas Rangers, during the second game of the 2023 season. Little did he know then how glorious last season would turn out for Rangers Nation.
That was in 1983. Forty-one years later, many Texas Rangers fans have only ever known Morgan’s voice at Arlington’s ballparks (all three). There are no official records for major league baseball’s announcers, but according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, it’s widely believed Morgan lays claim to the longest streak of games among current announcers, including the 2002 season he spent with the Kansas City Royals.
He has announced the starting lineups for more than 3,250 consecutive games, including one of the Rangers’ historic World Series wins last season en route to the franchise’s first championship. And he’ll add the 2024 MLB All-Star Game to that list when Arlington hosts the Midsummer Classic on July 16 for only the second time in history.
One of Morgan’s microphones—the one he used for his 3,000th straight game September 26, 2020—has a home in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
These days, his official job title is executive vice president of game entertainment, promotions and production—a title that barely gets its arms around all that Morgan has brought to Rangers games over more than four decades.
“Basically, everything you see and hear when you come to Globe Life Field, I’m responsible for it,” he says.
Many of his ideas have become a cherished part of the ballpark experience, including his welcome at the beginning of each game.
“I’ve said, ‘It’s baseball time in Texas’ since the late 1990s
to honor former Rangers broadcaster Mark Holtz, who passed away in 1997,” Morgan says of continuing Holtz’s greeting.
Long-time Rangers employees told Morgan about other team traditions, including the playing of the tune CottonEyed Joe during the seventh-inning stretch. It’s still played today. His most-often imitated innovation might be the dot mascot races, which happen in the middle of the sixth inning.
“We’d done a simple black-and-white animation in Nashville,” Morgan says. “Later, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Morgan at what was originally called the Ballpark in Arlington, the Rangers’ second stadium in Texas. In his country music radio days in Nashville, Morgan rubbed shoulders with, from left, stars Bill Monroe, Roy Acuff and Barbara Mandrell. Morgan during the Rangers’ World Series victory parade.
Morgan has announced the starting lineups for more than 3,250 consecutive games, including one of the Rangers’ historic World Series wins last season en route to the franchise’s first championship.
sportswriter Jim Reeves saw two lights chasing each other on the scoreboard at an Oklahoma City 89ers game. He suggested that I should do something like that. About a month later, in May of 1987, we had our first dot race in Arlington Stadium.”
Now Morgan’s voice is as much a part of a home game as any other Rangers tradition. His long-time colleague, Rangers radio play-by-play broadcaster Eric Nadel, thinks he knows why.
“He communicates tremendous passion without screaming at you the way many PA announcers do these days,” Nadel says. “His warmth as a person comes through loud and clear when you hear him, and his voice quality as a former radio star is second to none.”
That warmth likely soothed fans and players alike during the lean years, when the team wasn’t close to making the playoffs. That luck began to change in 1996, when they faced the New York Yankees in the franchise’s playoffs debut.
They lost that series in ’96, but 14 years later, they won their first American League pennant—beating the Yankees. Reaching the 2010 World Series was vindication—and sweet revenge—for the team, the fans and the front office, including Morgan.
“I had to temper my excitement because I had my job to
Baseball Times in Texas
APRIL 4, 1983 Chuck Morgan calls his first MLB game, the Rangers’ home opener against the Chicago White Sox.
AUGUST 22, 1989 Nolan Ryan becomes the first pitcher with 5,000 strikeouts when he fans Oakland’s Rickey Henderson.
MAY 1, 1991 Ryan throws his record seventh no-hitter in a 3-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
JULY 28, 1994 Kenny Rogers pitches a perfect game, 4-0 over the California Angels.
2001 Morgan is named best PA announcer by The Sporting News, an honor he receives again in 2003.
JULY 30, 2017 Adrián Beltré gets his 3,000th hit.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 Morgan’s 3,000th straight game behind the mic, a Rangers win against the Houston Astros. The mic he used is now in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
OCTOBER 2020 Morgan works the National League divisional and championship series and the World Series, all played in Arlington after the postseason format was altered because of the pandemic.
JULY 16, 2024 Globe Life Field will host the 94th MLB All-Star Game.
do,” he says. “But like the fans, it was very emotional. And the crowd was so loud. It was a great feeling to know that the Rangers had won the AL championship and were going to their first World Series.”
The Rangers lost to the San Francisco Giants that year. They made it back to the World Series in 2011, only to suffer a gut-wrenching loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. That loss wasn’t laid to rest until last year. The Rangers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks—51 years after the franchise moved to Arlington from Washington in 1972—and won their first World Series, four games to one.
“I was in Arizona for Game 5, and it was one of the great experiences of my life,” Morgan says. “It doesn’t get any better than that.”
While Morgan and Ranger fans celebrated, the players were singing their favorite song from the amazing 2023 season—Creed’s Higher—in the beer- and champagnesoaked visiting clubhouse. Morgan might want to include it in his Globe Life Field playlist from time to time.
And how about one more song for the winners of the 2023 World Series?
We Are the Champions D
Now you can own a 1921 Morgan silver dollar from the last year of the classic series! Big, heavy and handsome – with over 3⁄4 of an ounce of 90% silver – genuine Morgan dollars like these were struck in silver from old western mines. Once used by rough and ready frontiersmen, today Morgan dollars are a vanishing legacy of America’s past –genuine history you can hold in your hand!
You’ll also receive a handpicked trial selection of fascinating coins from our No-Obligation Coins-on-Approval Service, from which you may purchase any or none of the coins – return balance within 15 days – with option to cancel at any time.
Never to be minted again!
Although millions of these silver coins were melted in the 1900s, the 1921 Morgan – from the final year of the classic series – survived. Never to be minted again, this historic Morgan dollar can be yours for just $29.95 (regularly $87.00) –SAVE 65% off regular prices! Order today and get FREE shipping to your home!
1920s Style for a 1920s Price
It was a warm summer afternoon and my wife and I were mingling with the best of them. The occasion was a 1920s-themed party, and everyone was dressed to the nines. Parked on the manse’s circular driveway was a beautiful classic convertible. It was here that I got the idea for our new 1920s Retrograde Watch.
Never ones to miss an opportunity, we carefully steadied our glasses of bubbly and climbed into the car’s long front seat. Among the many opulent features on display was a series of dashboard dials that accentuated the car’s lavish aura. One of those dials inspired our 1920s Retrograde Watch, a genuinely unique timepiece that marries timeless style with modern technology.
With its remarkable retrograde hour and minute indicators, sunburst guilloche face and precision movement, this design is truly one of a kind. What does retrograde mean? Instead of displaying the hands rotating on an axis like most watches, the hands sweep in a semicircle, then return to their starting point and begin all over again.
Retrograde watches by the big brands can set you back thousands; one recent offering from a big French fashion house is selling for more than $150,000! But because we’ve designed the 1920s Retrograde Watch in-house, we can offer it to you for just $99!
This watch is so wildly popular with our customers that we’re actually concerned about running out; we only have 937 729 left for this ad!
Watch Specifications:
• Precision movement
• Stainless steel case, caseback and crown
• Retrograde hour and minute indicators
• Water-resistant to 5 ATM
• Brown genuine leather band
• Fits wrists up to 8"
1920s Retrograde Watch
$399 $99* + S&P Save $300
*Special price only for customers using the offer code.
“An elegant and exciting timepiece that every collector will love.”
— George omas, internationally renowned watch expert
“[A] unique and beautiful timepiece.”
— Carlos C., Los Banos, CA
Energy Scams Unmasked
NEC Co-op Energy wants to help you avoid energy scams, whether financial loss or leak of personal information.
CONSUMERS HAVE LONG been targets for utility scams, but in today’s digital world, every swipe and click increases the risk. Scammers are more sophisticated than ever before, and with their sharpened digital knives, criminals have adapted their tactics to trick unsuspecting consumers to bleed your wallet dry.
NEC Co-op Energy wants to help you avoid energy scams, whether a financial loss or leak of personal information. This month, I’d like to share updates on some the latest utility scams we’re seeing as well as tips to help you avoid getting ripped off.
Recent Ripoffs
Scammers typically disguise themselves as utility employees to steal consumers’ money or personal information. A common trick is to claim a bill is past due and threaten to disconnect service if payment isn’t received immediately.
Scammers utilize a variety of means, including phone calls, text messages, emails and even in-person visits. Spoofing can make the phone number you see on caller ID appear to be from a trusted source, making it difficult to verify the call. They may also use fraudulent websites that are identical to a utility payment site—and these pages are often promoted on search engines to trick consumers into clicking and making a payment.
Claiming you overpaid your bill and that you’ll receive a cash or banking refund is another approach. This offer may seem too good to be true, and it is—it’s likely
a scam aimed to steal your personal information.
Spotting a Scam
Scammers often use highpressure tactics to create a sense of urgency, like claiming your electricity or other services will be disconnected if a payment isn’t made immediately. Scammers may also ask for unusual payment methods such as gift cards or cryptocurrency. If someone is pushing for such a payment method, it’s likely a scam.
You’ve probably noticed that many digital scams, like emails or text messages, include poor grammar, misspellings and odd email addresses. These are red flags, so when you see these dodgy forms of communication, consider it a potential scam.
What We Won't Do
NEC Co-op Energy will never demand an instant, immediate payment or threaten to disconnect your service without prior notices or warnings. We strive to resolve challenging situations and work with our members to avoid disconnects.
We will never ask for your Social Security number or banking details over the phone or through email. We offer several secure payment options, including in-person, through www.neccoopenergy.com and by calling 1-855-632-7348
Whether in person, over the phone or online, always be aware of these tips and safeguard your information.
Varzavand "Avan" Irani Chief Executive Officer
A message from our CEO Varzavand "Avan" Irani
Love. Local. Power.
Summer Conservation Tips: Keep Cool.
As the summer heat ramps up, it's important to stay cool while also being mindful of energy consumption. Here are a few practical tips to help you conserve energy and keep your utility bills in check during the hottest months of the year.
1. Optimize Your Thermostat Settings
Set your thermostat a few degrees higher when you're at home and even higher when you're away. Programmable or smart thermostats can automate this process, ensuring your air conditioner isn’t working harder than necessary. Aim for 78°F (26°C) when you're home and up to 85°F (29°C) when you're out.
2. Use Fans to Your Advantage
Ceiling fans and portable fans can make a significant difference in your comfort level. Fans use less energy than air conditioning and can help distribute cool air more effectively. Remember to turn off fans when you leave the room, as they cool people, not spaces.
3. Block Out the Heat
Close blinds, shades, or curtains during the hottest part of the day to prevent sunlight from heating up your home. Consider installing reflective window films or solar screens, which can reduce heat gain by up to 70%.
4. Maintain Your Cooling System Regular maintenance of your air conditioning system can improve its efficiency. Replace or clean filters monthly, and have a professional check the system annually to ensure it's running smoothly. A well-maintained system uses less energy and cools your home more effectively.
By implementing these simple conservation tips, you can stay comfortable this summer while reducing your energy consumption and lowering your utility bills. Stay cool and energy-efficient!
Why is my Electric Bill so High?
If your electric bill seems higher than normal, it's time to investigate. Check your history by checking your app or call NEC Co-op Energy to ask for a review of your bills over the past year. You might be surprised by how much your usage fluctuates.
Fluctuations in outdoor temperatures can lead yoru family to crank up the air conditioning on especially hot days. Most people use more electricity during the hottest summer months than at any other time of year. Winter chill also increases utility bills.
Check what's plugged in. If you thought your bill would be lower when your family was on vacation, you might be surprised to realize that many appliances still use electricity when the house is empty. Any appliance plugged into the wall uses electricity, whtehter anybody is home to use them or not. As appliances such as refrigerators and water heaters age, they become less efficient. If your AC or a large appliance is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with a more energy-efficient model.
Check your lifestyle. If your college-age child or your grandchildren is home for the summer, your electric bill will be a bit higher than it was while he or she was away. If you’ve added a major appliance, like a pool with a pump, a hot tub or even an oversized TV, that will affect your power bill, too.
Be sure to contact your cooperative. If you still think your bill is higher than it should be, reach out to the energy experts at your co-op. They are there to help you.
HALO-Flight Guardian Program
Did you know the average emergency helicopter transportation and critical care service bill exceed $20,000?
HALO-Flight, South Texas' nonprofit air ambulance service, provides the fastest and safest emergency air transportation and medical care for residents and visitros of South Texas. One third of HALO-Flight's missions are rural, community hospitals to definitive care facilities in Corpus Christi, San Antonio or Houston, TX.
As an NEC Co-op Energy Member you have the added benefit of joining the HALO-Flight Guardian Membership plan at a significantly reduced price of $3 per month, $36 annually, which is applied to your NEC bill.
To learn more about HALO-Flight Guardian Membership visit www.haloflight.org/guardian
Never take electric- powered devices near swimming pools, hot tubs or lakes. Use battery- powered devices near water to reduce the risk of shock.
The time for hurricane planning should begin well before hurricane season arrives.
Follow these tips:
• Develop a plan for installing covers for windows.
• Don’t waste time taping windows. When a 100 mph wind blows an object at your window, tape won’t stop it.
• Remove weak and dead trees and tree limbs.
• Know whether your home is in a zone that could be flooded.
• Have a “grab and run” bag ready with important papers (like your homeowner’s insurance policy) and prescription medicines in the event you have to evacuate.
• Have a plan for where you will go if you evacuate, the route you will take and how others can contact you.
• Have a survival kit ready with nonperishable food, water, a first-aid kit, a batterypowered radio and extra batteries.
NEC Co-op Energy encourages you to always practice safety.
The 2 Types of Energy Conservation: Beat the Peak Conservation vs. Conservation Appeal from ERCOT
Understanding the Difference Between the Two
Energy conservation is the decision and practice of using less energy. Turning off the lights when you leave the room, unplugging appliances when they’re not in use, and raising your thermostat are all examples of energy conservation. The two main reasons people conserve energy are to gain more control over their energy bill and reduce the demand on the electric grid and earth’s natural resources.
As the days are getting hotter, with triple digit temperatures statewide, you’ve seen two types of energy conservation requests from NEC Co-op Energy. Peak and ERCOT Conservation Appeals. What is the difference in these requests and how do they affect you as an NEC Co-op Energy member?
Beat the Peak Conservation i involves requesting energy conservation typically during high demand periods from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. These alerts are issued by NEC Co-op Energy to help manage power costs for our members. By taking simple steps to reduce electricity usage during these peak times, we can prevent rolling blackouts or brownouts by encouraging members to shift their energy consumption to off-peak hours. It is important to emphasize that these conservation alerts are NOT due to a lack of resources.
Conservation Appeals from ERCOT encourage Texans and Texas businesses to voluntarily save electricity when demand is expected to exceed available generation resources. By taking simple steps to conserve energy, we can help reduce the strain on the grid and protect our natural resources. These alerts aim to prevent rotating outages, making it much easier for everyone if we all pitch in and conserve during peak hours. Working together, we can ensure a more reliable and sustainable energy supply for all.
NEC Co-op Energy realizes that energy conservation is a conscious choice that members make to minimize their energy usage. We, at NEC Co-op Energy, appreciate our members understanding and cooperation during these hot summer months. We strive to keep our members updated and educated on ways to conserve energy, when to conserve energy, and reasons why we are requesting energy conservation.
Together we can beat this heat and keep our cost down.
Go Fourth Safely
Welcome to Joe's Safety Corner! I'm Joe Electric, your friendly neighborhood advocate for safety and awareness!
July is a favorite time of year for many, filled with summer fun, school vacations, and, of course, Independence Day celebrations. The Fourth of July is a chance to enjoy grilled burgers, hot dogs, homemade ice cream, and fireworks with family and friends. At Nueces Electric Cooperative, we want you to enjoy this festive time while staying safe.
For fireworks, attend professional shows or, if you are setting some off on your own, follow safety tips like keeping water nearby, wearing protective eyewear, and never relighting duds.
When grilling, always supervise the grill, keep children away, use proper tools, and follow manufacturer instructions. For sun safety, use broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen, wear sunglasses, stay hydrated, and watch for heat stroke signs.
However you choose to celebrate, NEC Co-op Energy wishes you a safe and happy Fourth of July!
Leave AC on During Vacation
If you’re thinking about saving money by shutting off your air conditioner while you escape for summer vacation, consider what needs to stay cool in your home while you’re gone. At the top of that list is your refrigerator.
In a warm kitchen, your fridge has to work at least twice as hard to keep cold. As long as it's plugged in, t will work double duty whether there’s food inside it or not. Purging your fridge of food that might rot while you’re gone can prevent unpleasant odors or surprises when you return. An overactive refrigerator can counteract any energy savings you might gain from shutting down the AC for a week. It could also stress your fridge enough to damage or even ruin it.
Your best bet is to nudge up the thermostat 4–5 degrees higher than usual before you leave. That way, your house won’t be as cool as it would be for comfort, but it won’t get so warm that your refrigerator struggles to stay cold.
Keeping the AC on can prevent other problems that can occur in a home that gets too humid due to a lack of air conditioning, such as mold and mildew growth and damage to sensitive electronics.
Insulate Garages to Keep
Cool
It doesn't make sense to put an air conditioner in a garage because the cool air will leak right through the door, ceiling and walls. But you can keep the space a bit more comfortable and less costly to cool by adding insulation.
Insulated walls, ceilings and doors can block the heat so it doesn’t penetrate to the inside of the garage, and they can keep the cool, conditioned air indoors where it belongs. Plus, an insulated garage will help prevent heat from radiating into your home. In the winter, it helps keep the cold air out.
Pair insulation with sealing methods like weatherstripping and caulk for added efficiency.
If you need a new garage door, choose an energy-efficient model, which can reduce energy loss through the door by up to 70%.
Insulating the garage has other benefits besides energy efficiency. Adding insulation to a garage could also increase the value of your home if you’re considering selling it because buyers are often looking for energy efficiency upgrades. And the insulation can dampen garage noises if you have a resident mechanic, garage band or DIYer using the space for noisy projects.
Look into Getting on a Residential Critical Care List
Texas electricity consumers who have a member of their household on life support equipment or who have a chronic condition for whom an interruption of power could result in a life-threatening condition may contact their TDU (power line company) to apply for chronic condition or critical care status. This status provides extra notification considerations, when possible, ahead of a storm or expected power interruption. This status does not guarantee uninterrupted power. If electricity is necessary, you must make other arrangements for on-site capabilities or alternatives in the event of loss of electric service.
Scan the QR code to look at the list of utility providers, learn more about information, and download the PUC Critical Care form.
Take these steps to prepare for power outages:
• Invest in a portable generator that can power vital equipment in the event of an extended outage.
• Make arrangements to temporarily move in with friends or family during a power failure if a generator is impractical.
• Keep an adequate supply or prescription drugs and medical equipment on hand.
DID YOU KNOW?
The first color issue of the New York Times printed October 16, 1997, but Texas Co-op Power first ran color photos in May 1984.
Mike's Smoked Brisket
2 cups dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup seasoned salt
1 beef brisket (10 - 16 pouds)
1. Mix sugar and spices. Rub on brisket and wrap with plastic wrap. Put in a refrigerator for at least 24 hours.
2. Remove from plastic and wrap in heavy foil.
3. Place in 225-degree smoker (low to medium fire) with fat side down for 3 hours
4. Put back on smoker for 6 hours at 225 degrees
5. Let set for 30 minutes before slicing
SERVES 24 - 40
Hurricane Preparedness Guidelines
IF YOU ARE UNDER A HURRICANE WARNING, FIND SAFE SHELTER RIGHT AWAY.
When a hurricane is 36 hours from arriving
Turn on your TV or radio in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions. Restock your emergency preparedness kit. Include food and water sufficient for at least three days, medications, a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies. https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit
When a hurricane is 18-36 hours from arriving
Bookmark your city or county website for quick access to storm updates and emergency instructions. Bring loose, lightweight objects inside that could become projectiles in high winds (e.g., patio furniture, garbage cans); anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside (e.g., propane tanks); and trim or remove trees close enough to fall on the building.
When a hurricane is 6-18 hours from arriving
Turn on your TV/radio, or check your city/county website every 30 minutes in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Charge your cell phone now so you will have a full battery in case you lose power.
When a hurricane is 6 hours from arriving
If you’re not in an area that is recommended for evacuation, plan to stay at home or where you are and let friends and family know where you are.
Close storm shutters, and stay away from windows. Flying glass from broken windows could injure you.
Turn your refrigerator or freezer to the coldest setting and open only when necessary. If you lose power, food will last longer
Keep a thermometer in the refrigerator to be able to check the food temperature when the power is restored.
Survive DURING
If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Do not drive around barricades.
If sheltering during high winds, go to a FEMA safe room, ICC 500 storm shelter, or a small, interior, windowless room or hallway on the lowest floor that is not subject to flooding.
If trapped in a building by flooding, go to the highest level of the building. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water.
Be Safe AFTER
Listen to authorities for information and special instructions.
Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box to prevent electric shock.
Avoid wading in flood water, which can contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
Not only are these hefty bars one full Troy ounce of real, .999 precious silver, they’re also beautiful, featuring the crisp image of a Morgan Silver Dollar struck onto the surface. That collectible image adds interest and makes these Silver Bars even more desirable. Minted in the U.S.A. from shimmering American silver, these one-ounce 99.9% fine silver bars are a great alternative to one-ounce silver coins or rounds. Plus, they offer great savings compared to other bullion options like one-ounce sovereign silver coins. Take advantage of our special offer for new customers only and save $10.00 off our regular prices.
Morgan Silver Dollars Are Among the Most Iconic Coins in U.S. History
What makes them iconic? The Morgan Silver Dollar is the legendary coin that built the Wild West. It exemplifies the American spirit like few other coins, and was created using silver mined from the famous Comstock Lode in Nevada. In fact, when travelers approached the mountains around the boomtown of Virginia City, Nevada in the 1850s, they were startled to see the hills shining in the sunlight like a mirror. A mirage caused by weary eyes?
No, rather the effect came from tiny flecks of silver glinting in the sun.
A Special Way for You to Stock Up on Precious Silver
While no one can predict the future value of silver in an uncertain economy, many Americans are rushing to get their hands on as much silver as possible, putting it away for themselves and their loved ones. You’ll enjoy owning these Silver Bars. They’re tangible. They feel good when you hold them, You’ll relish the design and thinking about all it represents.
These Morgan Design One-Ounce Bars make appreciated gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and graduations, creating a legacy sure to be cherished for a lifetime.
Order More and SAVE
You can save $10.00 off our regular price when you buy now. There is a limit of 25 Bars per customer, which means with this special offer, you can save up to $250.
Hurry. Secure Yours Now!
Call right now to secure your .999 fine silver Morgan Design One-Ounce Silver Bars. You’ll be glad you did.
Vegan Panhandlers
And other demonyms across Texas bend and break the rules of language
BY W.F. STRONG • ILLUSTRATION BY SHAW NIELSEN
LATELY I’VE BEEN on a deep dive into “demonymology.” Sounds ominous, but it’s simply the study of what people from certain places call themselves. There are general rules for demonyms, but there’s nothing that can’t be broken for phonetic aesthetics or preference—or even whimsy.
For instance, adding “-ites” to a place name is a biblical tradition for identifying the people there: Canaanites, Levites, etc. So folks in Dallas are Dallasites, people in Dumas are Dumasites and residents of Paris, Texas, would be known as Parisites —except they’ve adopted the French custom and call themselves Parisians.
We have many unusual, rather unpredictable demonyms in Texas. Ivanhoe
could be Ivanhoers, but if you say it too fast it sounds indelicate. So Ivanhoans is preferred. Carthage? Carthaginians. Leander? Leanderthals. That one is the result of an important archaeological find near there.
What do you call people in Cactus? Cacti? Could be Cactusians, but that sounds like a cough. What about Cut and Shoot? They are Cut and Shooters. Rough crowd. Commerce is also a challenge. Are they Commercials? Commercians? No, probably Commercites. The demonym for Waco isn’t Wackos but Wacoans.
Comfort is interesting. Are they Comforters? Actually, yes. Dime Box has Dime Boxers. Alice has a truly sophisticated demonym. They’re Alicians.
Listen as W.F. Strong narrates this story on our website.
Corpus Christi is made up of Corpus Christians. No holier demonym than that, I’d suppose.
For places ending in “-o,” just add “-an.” Laredoans, San Angeloans, El Pasoans. Amarillo? Depends on whether you say Amarillo or Amarilla; George Strait sings Amarillo by Morning. So I go with him. The demonym, therefore, is Amarilloans. San Antonio cannot follow this rule. “San Antonioans” is phonetically awkward. So we throw out the rule and just go with what sounds better: San Antonians.
If you have an “-on” ending, then by custom, add “-ian” to create the demonym. Houston becomes Houstonian. Sinton becomes Sintonian. Denton is Dentonian.
People in Austin seem to prefer Austinites. Austonian, though, cannot be the demonym. It’s the adjective for style. You can say, “I love the Austonian vibe,” for instance.
For places ending in “-burg,” you just add “-er.” Fredericksburgers, Rosenburgers. Seems like we should have a town named Whataburg. Those residents would then be Whataburgers. I might move there just to be one.
Folks in Marfa are Marfans, but if they were Marfalites, it would be good marketing.
People in Paradise are Paradisians. Vega, in the Panhandle, has Vegans. Happy has Happians. Wink has Winkers. And Victoria has Victorians.
No matter what we are by demonym, we’re all collectively Texans. And that, to me, is about the best thing in the world a person can be D
Frozen Treats
Hello, July! Hello, Texas heat! Hello, relief.
BY VIANNEY RODRIGUEZ, FOOD EDITOR
Nothing hits the spot after a hot day better than an icy paleta (popsicle). My coconut horchata paletas will keep you cool all summer long. Made from a base of horchata, a popular Mexican drink made by soaking rice in water, my paletas are light and refreshing with a hint of vanilla.
Coconut Horchata Paletas
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, divided use
½ cup uncooked white rice
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 cups hot water
4 cups room temperature water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup sugar
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place ¼ cup coconut on a baking sheet. Bake, stirring occasionally, until coconut is lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
2. To a blender add rice, the remaining ¾ cup coconut, cinnamon and hot water. Cover and allow to steep for 15 minutes. Blend until smooth. Strain into a pitcher.
3. Stir in room temperature water, vanilla and sugar. Taste for sweetness, and add more sugar if desired.
4. Pour the coconut horchata into a popsicle mold. Freeze overnight. Serve, sprinkled with the toasted coconut.
S ERVES 6
Follow Vianney Rodriguez as she cooks in Cocina Gris at sweetlifebake.com, where she features a recipe for Coconut Orange Frozen Bars.
Frozen Raspberry Squares
CLAUDIA PALACIOS SELLERS MIDSOUTH EC
This no-fuss dessert Palacios Sellers has been whipping up since 1998 is always a hit at her home. Berries and chocolate are the ultimate combo. With storebought cookies and just a few additional ingredients, you can make a delicious berry delight at home.
1 cup finely crushed Oreos, about 14 cookies
2 tablespoons (¼ stick) butter, melted ½ cup sugar
1 cup half-and-half
1 cup sour cream
12 ounces frozen raspberries Chocolate syrup for serving
1. Coat an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, combine crushed Oreos with butter. Press mixture into the bottom of the baking dish.
2. In another bowl, stir together sugar, half-and-half, and sour cream. Fold in frozen raspberries and spread mixture evenly over cookie crust.
3. Cover and freeze 3–4 hours. Remove from freezer 10 minutes before serving. Slice into squares and serve drizzled with chocolate syrup.
S ERVES 9
$500 WINNER
Mammaw’s
Peanut Butter Ice Cream Treats
KIM NEW BIG COUNTRY EC
A sweet mashup of two childhood favorites, this recipe from New’s motherin-law, Betty Sargent, is truly spectacular. From birthday parties to summer potlucks or movie nights, I’ll be enjoying these peanut butter treats all year-round.
SERVES 9
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup light corn syrup
6 cups crisp rice cereal
1 quart vanilla ice cream
COOK’S TIP Leftover squares can be individually placed in plastic wrap and stored in the freezer for later.
1. Line two 8-by-8-inch metal pans with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, stir together peanut butter and corn syrup. Add cereal 1 or 2 cups at a time, stirring to coat with the peanut butter and corn syrup mixture.
3. Divide mixture evenly between the two pans. With damp hands, press mixture evenly into pans. Freeze 1 hour.
4. Scoop and spread ice cream evenly over cereal mixture in one pan. Run knife around edges of frozen cereal mixture in the other pan to release it onto top of ice cream. Press gently and return to freezer for 30 minutes. Slice into squares and serve.
$500 Recipe Contest
COOKIE EXCHANGE DUE JULY 10
Want to trade your best cookies for $500? Send us the recipe your friends always rave about and that could be your prize money. Enter by July 10 for a chance to win $500.
Pistachio Freeze
RUBY COWAN
HOUSTON COUNTY EC
If you’re craving a deliciously salty and sweet dessert, Cowan has got you covered. I simply love the lightly salty cracker crust that pairs so well with the pistachio pudding. Bonus: This sweet and salty treat comes together in a snap!
55 butter crackers, divided use ¾ cup (1½ sticks) butter, melted 2 cups milk
2 packages pistachio pudding mix (3.4 ounces each)
1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened 2 cups frozen whipped topping
1. In a large resealable plastic bag, crush 50 crackers with a rolling pin. Combine with butter and press into a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.
2. In a bowl, stir together milk and pudding. Add ice cream and whipped topping, stir to combine. Pour mixture over the crust. Crush remaining crackers with your hands and sprinkle over mixture.
3. Cover and freeze at least 1 hour. Slice and serve.
SERVES
10
Find the August 2014 issue in our online archive and discover the best Co-op Country recipes in that month’s Just Chill contest.
No-Guilt Goodies
BY VIANNEY RODRIGUEZ
How frozen fruit can become a delightful snack:
Spread yogurt on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and top with diced fresh fruit and nuts. Freeze, slice and serve.
Blend a frozen, peeled banana in a food processor with coconut milk for a delicious ice cream.
Drizzle melted chocolate over diced fruit spread on a parchment paperlined baking sheet, freeze and enjoy.
Slice watermelon wedges, insert a popsicle stick into the rind and freeze for a guilt-free popsicle.
Wash and fully dry fresh grapes. Place in a zip-close bag and freeze overnight for a refreshing snack.
Face to Face With History
Look into the mystery of the Malakoff Man at the Pearce Museum
BY CHET GARNER
A GROUP OF WORKERS near the East Texas town of Malakoff made an unusual discovery near the Trinity River in 1929. They were digging out a gravel pit when they unearthed a round stone about the size of a basketball lying 20 feet below ground level.
As they looked at its smooth surface, the stone seemed to be looking back at them through two carved eyes. Was this a prehistoric sculpture? And how did it get buried in dirt that at the time was believed to be 100,000 years old—when humans didn’t get to Texas until some 20,000 years ago? I had the same questions and set off for the Pearce Museum in Corsicana, southeast of Dallas, to get answers.
I was stunned by the wealth of artifacts inside this little-known museum on the campus of Navarro College. I could have spent hours exploring the immense Civil War collection, but I was on a mission for the mysterious. In a back room, I found three carved heads surrounded by Native American projectile points and an impressive hunter-gatherer display.
It turns out that following the original discovery in the Malakoff quarry, archaeologists found two more heads in the same vicinity. As far as explanations go, it seems science is as stumped as I am.
These unusual heads have as many supporters as they do critics, with some scientists attempting to discredit their integrity. Some believe them to be all-out fakes while others argue that they’re authentic, dating them to when Paleo-Indians were known to have been in the Americas, roughly 9,000–15,000 years ago.
Unfortunately the dig site was flooded, halting any further investigations (insert conspiracy theories here). Regardless, it was fun staring down a mystery that can stare right back. D
ABOVE Malakoff Man confounds Chet, as the stone heads have done for many over the past century.
See these Malakoff heads for yourself in the video on our website. And see all Chet’s Texplorations on The Daytripper on PBS.
Know Before You Go
Call ahead or check an event’s website for scheduling details, and check our website for many more upcoming events.
JULY
6
8
11
Fredericksburg [6–7, 20–21] Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing, (830) 997-2359, gillespiefair.com
Lampasas [8–14] Spring Ho, (512) 556-5301, springho.com
Levelland [11–13] Junior Rodeo Cowboys Association Finals, (806) 290-2848, jrcarodeo.com
Mason [11–13] Round Up Weekend, (325) 347-5758, masontx.org
12
13
Midland [12–14] Celebration of the Arts, (432) 687-1149, acmidland.org
Ingram [12–Aug. 9] Summer ArtMart, (830) 367-5121, hcaf.com
Weatherford Parker County Peach Festival, (817) 596-3801, parker countypeachfestival.com
New Braunfels [13–14] Petfest, (830) 488-7814, hillcountryconferences.com
17
Kilgore [17–20, 25–27] Tinker Bell, (903) 983-8601, texasshakespeare.com
19
Brenham Puppy Pals, (979) 337-7240, thebarnhillcenter.com
We
Friona Cheeseburger Festival & Cook-Off, (806) 250-3491, friona-chamber.com
Clute [25–27] The Great Texas Mosquito Festival, 1-800-371-2971, mosquitofestival.com
Levelland [26–27] Fearless Champions Summer Showcase, (806) 894-4161, facebook.com/fearless championsfallshowcase
Fredericksburg [26–28] Hill Country Swap Meet, (254) 751-7958, earhartproductions.com
Buffalo Gap Tour de Gap, (325) 829-0617, tourdegap.com
Giddings Sip & Shop Christmas in July, (979) 542-3455, giddingstx.com
McKinney Magical Moth Night, (972) 562-5566, heardmuseum.org
Bandera [27–28] National Day of the American Cowboy, (210) 632-4535, banderabusiness.com
San Angelo Buffalo Soldier Anniversary Day, (325) 6574444, fortconcho.com
New Braunfels Already Gone: A Tribute to The Eagles, (830) 627-0808, brauntex.org
August
50HP & 60HP Diesel, 4x4, Shuttle Transmissions, R4 Tires, ROPS, Quick Attach Front End Loaders & Buckets, Rear Hydraulic Remotes
New MF 1835E Tractor Package
FOSTER’S WORK & PLAY
35HP Diesel, 4x4, Shuttle Transmission, ROPS, Quick Attach Front End Loader & Bucket Options: 25 HP and 40 HP Models, Hydro Transmission AS LOW AS $339 Per Month
Shells and Scales
1 TRACY COSTELLO
PEDERNALES EC
“I found this small garter snake in the oregano plant in the backyard. I had to wait patiently for this little one to trust me enough to make an appearance.”
2 CYRIL FERNANDES
PEDERNALES EC
“The green anole is found throughout the eastern third of Texas, and it can change color from brown to green. Males have a pink throat fan called a dewlap that can be puffed up.”
3 RICK KIEFFER BLUEBONNET EC
“Spotted this little guy while camping at Cedar Breaks Park on Lake Georgetown.”
4 TERESA MOULDS BIG COUNTRY EC
“While this eastern hognose poses, a gorgone checkerspot alights on its head. The snake was in display mode, stretching the skin around head and neck in an effort to scare away large predators, me in this case.”
Upcoming Contests
DUE JUL 10 Mascots
DUE AUG 10 Young Photographers
DUE SEP 10 Parks
Enter online at TexasCoopPower.com/contests.
See Focus on Texas on our website for many more Shells and Scales photos from readers.
Slithering and silently sneaking their way to the top this month are creatures that use their shells and scales as disguises, protection and even homes. Let’s appreciate their photos, even if they might give us pause in real life.
BY GRACE FULTZ
Culling Time
When tomato farming in Jacksonville meant selling the best and savoring the rest
BY CYNTHIA L. MATLOCK ILLUSTRATION BY SARAH FERONE
THE OTHER DAY, while picking tomatoes from my garden, I remembered how, growing up in the 1970s, we gathered under the large oak tree in my parents’ yard and made tough decisions. Which produce would go to town?
Of all the crops we grew, tomatoes were my favorite because someone always brought a saltshaker to the fields. A misshapen or overripe tomato was a prime fruit for eating. Right there in the field, I would stop and enjoy the juicy snack.
After picking the ripe ones—and a few yellow and large green ones, too—we headed home around midmorning, sweaty and tired. The important part was next: culling time.
The prettiest, most perfectly shaped red tomatoes went into one basket,
while the blemished, funny-shaped or otherwise flawed ones filled another basket. Under the shade tree, a breeze kept us cool while we’d chat and separate the produce.
About 55 years prior, around 1917, the farms surrounding Jacksonville, in Cherokee County, south of Tyler, produced 90% of the tomatoes shipped from Texas. The area’s sandy soil still grows some of the best tomatoes in the state. And my family learned to take part in that business.
We took our best tomatoes to town. However, have no fear—there were plenty of uses for the culled ones that we kept for ourselves: soup, cobbler, picante sauce and, of course, lots for canning.
Texas’ tomato industry once employed thousands of people on the farms, in packing sheds and in the factories that made boxes and baskets. Over time Jacksonville became known as the tomato capital of the world.
Some of the old packing sheds with wide dock doors still stand next to the train tracks. That was where farmers sold their vegetables to be shipped all over. One of the six basket factories in the county still operates in town too. Many of my relatives worked at basket factories, or as we called them, box factories.
Competition and marketing problems caused a collapse in the tomato business in the 1950s. During the ’70s we took our tomatoes and other vegetables to the local farmers market. Bulk buyers bought from us and drove to the larger Dallas or Houston farmers markets. There they could make double the profit. Our father would stubbornly say, “I see no reason to drive that fa’ to sell a tomato.”
Yesterday, examining my ripe tomatoes, I found one with yellow spots and a distorted shape. Oh well, even the imperfect ones have purpose. I grabbed the saltshaker. D
